Alex Anzalone (Florida)
Projected round = 3-4th; Concern = Durability
Combine Performance Data
40-yard dash
Bench press Vertical jump Broad jump Three-cone drill 20-yard shuttle 60-yard shuttle
from Lastwordonprofootball.com
Alex Anzalone has been all over the field this week when I've watched Senior Bowl practices.s
— Mike Loyko (@NEPD_Loyko) January 28, 2017
Cositas del partido de ayer que se me pasaron por alto. Alex Anzalone ILB34 Florida diagnosticando la screen rápidamente pic.twitter.com/45qlTrrHK0
— Los Cachorros NCAAF (@CachorrosNCAAF) January 29, 2017
Alex Anzalone frequently earned praise when he was on the field, but he was often injured
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) March 28, 2017
Jordan Hicks had a similar narrative out of Texas
Other scouting reports on him:
HogsHaven Alex Anzalone, LB: He's A Starting Linebacker In The NFL. Can He Stay Healthy? https://t.co/dnIL6ZcT4z pic.twitter.com/2qgpO1zyI8 …
— Redskin Reign (@RedskinReign) April 3, 2017
Where to draft him: With his durability concern, I personally believe spending 1st pick in the 3rd round (72th overall) a bit too risky but wouldn't be surprised if BB pulls trigger. 2nd pick in the 3rd round (96th overall) will be a sweet spot. If you can pick him with our 4th round pick (131th overall), that would be an absolute highway robbery. If someone gets too comfortable with the risks and picks him before 72th...well you will earn my "that's a bold strategy, Cotton" look.
Blair Brown (Ohio)
Projected Round = 4th; Concern = Lack of height&Length / Competition Level
If Ohio LB Blair Brown was 6'1 and played at a Power-5 school then he would a top-50 choice easily IMO.
— Raekwon Gilbert (@RxGilbert97) April 4, 2017
If Anzalone's only missing piece was health, Brown's would certainly be sheer height/size, which is unfortunate since he plays much bigger, physical and violent than his 5'11" 238lb frame indicates:
Great play recognition by brown, takes on lineman blows up block gets in on the play pic.twitter.com/bRhyGqqiTN
— Eliot Crist (@EliotCrist) April 5, 2017
Dane Brugler writes:
STRENGTHS: Above average play speed and range…looks like he was shot out of a cannon when he sees the play unfold, closing to beat blockers to the spot…anticipates based on formations to get a head start on the play…downhill quickness to clear holes before blockers can make contact…high batting average as a tackler due to his balance in motion, textbook pad level and grip strength…doesn’t back down at the point of attack and plays with pop in his hands…strokes ball carriers across the middle of the field…competes with the same physical temperament and determination on every snap…experienced with spot drops…football smart and his preparation shows on game days…self-starter and wants to be great…doesn’t play with a passive bone in his body…highly productive senior season, leading the MAC with 128 total tackles and finishing third in the conference with 15.0 tackles for loss (one behind Tarell Basham).
WEAKNESSES: Undersized with narrow shoulders and shorter-than-ideal arm length…can be engulfed near the line of scrimmage and his play strength doesn’t always match his intentions…struggles to match up vs. bigger bodies and gets bullied…quick trigger and susceptible to ball fakes…too reactive in coverage with better instincts vs. the run than the pass…caught flat-footed in his drops and late to make plays on the ball, registering only two passes defended over 33 career starts (and none the past two seasons)…stayed healthy as a senior, but lacks ideal body armor and missed at least one game each of the previous three seasons due to minor bumps and bruises.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Ohio, Brown was a three-down WILL linebacker for the Bobcats, turning in the senior season he needed to gain the attention of NFL teams. Scouts rolled through Athens specifically to see senior pass rusher Tarell Basham, but the speedy linebacker quickly established himself as a legitimate pro prospect worthy of their time. Brown is looking to follow in the footsteps of Jatavis Brown (no relation), another athletic but undersized MAC linebacker who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Although his lack of size stands out immediately, Brown flies all over the field and arrives with violence, filling quickly and powerful at contact. He has some limitations once engaged and when dropping in coverage, but his downhill instincts, discipline and hunting mentality allow him to play the run, blitz, zone drop and do a little bit of everything – early day three prospect who will add immediate depth at linebacker.
More scouting reports on him:
My scouting report on @OhioFootball LB Blair Brown. #NFLDraft https://t.co/CXqwWyMv0q
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) March 6, 2017
Just spoke with Blair Brown from OU. Really talented linebacker that could be a steal in this class
— Pete Smith (@_PeteSmith_) March 20, 2017
Super athletic, gets downhill, physical
Where to draft him: Before the combine, this little known LB would be available later in day 3. Alas, after his stellar combine performance, it seems many teams discovered his even better films hence he is sneaking up the draft board. The 96th may be slightly too rich for him but not sure he lasts until 131st either.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin (Tennessee)
Projected Round = 6th; Concern = Lack of size&bulk / Durability
If you believe strongly in player instincts (defensively)-and that they really can't be taught
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 28, 2017
You'll love Tennessee LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Jalen Reeves-Maybin's '15 tape is outstanding.. Injured thru most of '16.
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 28, 2017
Instincts. Natural in space. Aggressive/Physical. Athletic SL-SL.
Tennessee LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin is a screen killer..
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 28, 2017
Instinctive, fluid athlete, and physical.. Sneaky combination. I'm very intrigued.. pic.twitter.com/GJSI9b2kuu
Highlight Handful: Tenn LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin pic.twitter.com/CpLwdatSpC
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) April 11, 2017
Another lighter LB with extreme athleticism and instinct yet questionable statue and durability? Yep. He is much better yet more injury Kamu Grugier-Hill from last year. At worst, he can be another ST demon. Dane Brugler writes:
STRENGTHS: Flexible athlete to bend around blockers at full speed…functional playing range vs. the run and the pass…instinctive and diagnoses quickly to read, react and attack…takes smart angles and leverages the field well as a run defender, keeping ballcarriers contained…stays focused as a tackler, coming to balance, lowering his pads and driving through his target…cover awareness to drop, stack pass-catchers and make plays on the ball…shoots the gap in a flash to make stops in the backfield (27 career tackles for loss)…athletic bloodlines – father (Marques) scored 1,624 points as a four-year member of the Louisville basketball team…clean football player with professional work ethic…graduated with a degree in recreation and sport management (May 2016)…mature, emotional leader and stayed with his teammates despite his 2016 – senior captain and also has a one-year old daughter…productive résumé and experienced on special team coverages.
WEAKNESSES: Undersized frame with slender shoulders and limited growth potential…struggles to keep himself clean from blocks, lacking ideal arm length and point of attack power…needs to improve his finishing strength to eliminate missed tackles…eyes often stuck in the backfield and late picking up cover assignments…needs to match the physicality of tight ends in coverage without grabbing…strong durability concerns with a history of shoulder issues, suffering a torn left labrum (April 2016) during spring practice and then re-aggravating the injury (biceps subluxation) a few games into his senior year (Sept. 2016), which required surgery and ended
his Vols career – third career procedure on his shoulder after tearing his labrum as a senior in high school.SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Tennessee, Reeves-Maybin was a highly productive WILL linebacker as a sophomore and junior, posting 100+ tackles both seasons, before injuries sidelined him for most of his final season in Knoxville. He flies all over the field with outstanding range and aggressive instincts, but struggles near theline of scrimmage or when engaged, lacking the length, power or shed skills to keep himself free. Reeves-Maybin is a reliable tackler in space with the athleticism to drop in coverage and play on special teams, also showing the accountable leadership skills that NFL coaches covet. However, his history of shoulder issues is a red flag and could prevent him from holding up long-term in the NFL – has starting potential in run-and-hit scheme, but the medicals are a strong concern
More scouting reports on him:
Jalen Reeves-Maybin is one of this year's sleepers. Does great job of diagnosing the play with speed to close. https://t.co/ZvkrtleNEb pic.twitter.com/EczveqsVus
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) April 5, 2017
Where to draft him: with either 183rd or 200th.